Melvor Idle 2 Confirms November 17 Early Access Launch With Jagex as Publisher

Melvor Idle 2: A RuneScape Adventure will launch in Steam Early Access on November 17, 2026, with RuneScape creator Jagex officially joining as publisher. Developer Games by Malcs confirmed the date on October 29, alongside new details about the sequel's skills, progression systems, and story content.

The announcement follows the game's appearance at Steam Next Fest, where players were able to try an early version. The sequel expands on the original Melvor Idle, bringing new combat mechanics, quests, and a redesigned Mastery system to its single-player RPG experience.

Jagex partnership gives Melvor Idle 2 official RuneScape branding

Games by Malcs has secured a licensing agreement allowing the sequel to use the RuneScape name. The game is now officially titled Melvor Idle 2: A RuneScape Adventure, strengthening its connection to the MMORPG that inspired the original.

Jagex will handle publishing responsibilities, including marketing, localisation, and platform support, while Games by Malcs focuses on development. The companies previously worked together on Melvor Idle, which has sold more than one million copies.

Despite the new branding, the sequel retains its idle RPG format rather than becoming a traditional RuneScape MMORPG. Players train interconnected skills such as Woodcutting, Smithing, Cooking, and Magic while gathering resources and fighting enemies. Progress continues even when the game is closed.

Three new skills and a larger story arrive on November 17

The Early Access launch will add Astrology, Herblore, and Agility to the content already available in the demo. The level cap will increase to 99, with progression content available up to that level.

Games by Malcs has also confirmed four additional Mastery Guild ranks, more than 1,800 items, over 150 monsters, and approximately 25 pets. The second act of the main storyline will be around three times larger than the first, giving players substantially more story content to explore.

The developer has outlined broader plans for 29 skills and a maximum level of 120. However, not all planned features will be available when Early Access begins. Further skills, combat content, and improvements will arrive throughout development.

Steam Next Fest players can keep their progress

Players who tried the Melvor Idle 2 demo will not need to start again on November 17. Games by Malcs confirmed that existing demo saves will transfer automatically to Early Access, with cloud saving and manual backups available.

The demo attracted more than 50,000 downloads during Steam Next Fest, reaching a peak of over 7,200 concurrent players. The developer also received more than 1,000 feedback submissions and over 500 bug reports through its in-game forms.

The developer has already released balance adjustments and fixes for loading screens, resolution scaling, and other bugs. Further improvements planned for Early Access include performance fixes, the return of the legacy skill sidebar, clearer equipment statistics, and interface changes intended to improve readability.

Players can currently download the demo or wishlist Melvor Idle 2 through its Steam page. Games by Malcs estimates that Early Access could last 12 to 18 months, although no date has been confirmed for the full release.